Jason Worilds Continued Pass-Rushing Hot Streak Versus Ravens

By Matthew Marczi

As I wrote yesterday, the biggest strides that fourth-year outside linebacker Jason Worilds have made this season are not in his pass rushing skills, even if they are more eye-catching—not to mention more apparent due to his increased playing time. No, his greatest improvement this year has been his assignment discipline and stoutness against the run, which was on display against the Baltimore Ravens.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that he isn’t still making an impact as a pass rusher as well. In fact, he had his second multiple-sack game of the season against Joe Flacco, the second of which forced a fumble.

His first sack is one that you could have described as coming at a crucial time, were it not for what followed. In the early portion of the game, on the Ravens’ first drive, Baltmore was facing a second and goal from the one-yard line following a 54-yard pass that nearly went for the score.

Worilds, being left nearly unblocked, easily escaped the resistance of Ray Rice to get to Flacco, bringing him down for a six-yard loss to set up third and goal from the seven. Of course, Flacco threw a touchdown to Torrey Smith on the next play, rendering it moot.

His second sack came with a bit more import, not only because it created the potential for a turnover, but also because, this time, it helped keep the Ravens out of the end zone. This time, he beat right tackle Michael Oher on a dip-and-rip, utilizing his speed to win the edge and getting a straight line to the quarterback

Worilds went for the ball this time and was able to knock it loose. Unfortunately the Steelers weren’t able to recover it, which allowed the Ravens to stay in field goal range, which made the score 10-0.

The Ravens made second-half adjustments in order to account for Worilds coming off the left side, spending a lot of time putting an extra back or tight end to his side or running plays in the opposite direction, which helped neutralize his impact. Rice even knocked him to the ground on one occasion.

Still, he nearly got his third sack early in the third quarter. It looked much like his second sack, blowing past Oher, and he and Lawrence Timmons were able to bring Flacco down, but only after he was able to get rid of the ball for a long incompletion.

About the Author

The 6 man rush in the last GIF is a thing of beauty. I think Troy loves every time he has the chance to use his spin move, here spinning left in conjunction with Ziggy and Cam moving left to open the lane to his right for Timmons.

JAMESH

If only our Offensive Line could coordinate like that.

cencalsteeler

One thing that stands out on tape to me is how Worilds has some serious closing speed!

Chris Ranieri

Worilds highlights, Jones lowlights

SumnerYoung

I know he’s just a rook, but what’s JJ doing in GIF #1??? Clearly that “move” won’t work against NFL left tackles, and that’s not even the Ravens’ good left tackle. He’s lucky #76 didn’t pile on and gore him like a bull elephant.

Xclewsive

It looked as if JJ was reading run and tried to stop the OT from getting to the second level against Will Allen.

Xclewsive

Only Ansah is playing good/great at this point with 7 sacks. Other than that sub package players are MIngo/Jordan. I just used the OLB prospects from the first round as comparison. I know players such as Sio Moore have also played well.

Chris Ranieri

I understand. I’m just giving him grief because I don’t think he is ready to start in the NFL. I’m a big fan of his, heck I go to UGA lol, but to me his strength/pass rushing skills need to improve.

RedCarpetDefense

First gif reminds me why I like Keisel. The guy oozes effort.

treeher

Matthew, how about some gifs on how Ziggy Hood was filling in for Kiesel?

CrazyTerry

I am not challenging anyone here. Just curious since I do not follow college football closely. What was so great about this guy that he was rated in the top 5 of the draft except for his spinal condition which supposedly was the main reason he slipped. ON talent level and accomplished skills playing in the 3-4, he doesn’t look like a first rounder let alone an elite top 5 prospect. Are people thsat much smaller in the SEC(I am thinking that is what UGA was in ) where Jones size seemed big enough to dominate? I am not writing him off at the NFL level and I hope one day he does some justice to the 17th pick or whatever we picked him up at. But I highly doubt he will ever match up to the hype he got as a top 5 level talent. Even for a rookie, you gotta see some flashes of genius.

MC

Worilds has always flashed pass rush ability when he was filling in leading up to this year, what impressed me was seeing his abililty against the run against the ravens. I believe him and Timmons are the most athletic LB’s we have and against the run he showed it with how fast he could flow to the other side of the formation and make the tackle. I strongly disagree with peopple who are saying this is all cause of a contract year. This is the NFL, players who arent all-pro starters heading into the season are trying to perform the best for their team to win and to stay relevant. I doubt anyone especially a linebacker says to themselves “oh i need to raise my stock, better start playing well”. These guys are giving it their all whenever they can, its just unfortunate that he was groomed to be the ROLB replacement when he played the left side in college and is far more comfortable there. It’s also unfortunate he was injured at perfect opportunities to solidify himself. But please stop with the contract talks (there was a lot on the last article), the NFL is filled with the best athletes in the world and a guy like Worilds doesn’t get the luxury to to choose when to turn it on, it’s what they strive to do as competitive proffessionals from day one.